Suspension device

ABSTRACT

An air chamber including a resilient boot is provided between the base and seat portion of a vehicle seat. A post projects downwardly from the seat portion inside the boot and is guided for vertical movement by rollers mounted on means fixed with respect to the base. Spring means resist excessive upward and downward movement of the seat, and means are provided to allow limited fore-and-aft movement of the seat to offset backslap. The seat includes seat and backrest cushions and means for raising, lowering, and tilting either cushion.

United States Patel 3 193,239 7/1965 Monroe 3,235,308 2/1966 Conner,3,235,221 2/1966 Conner [72] lnuntur Edwin P. Monroe 255 Barrett Road,Berea, Ohio 44017 [21] Appl. No. 788,228

MSW H. HT H m N m m E n n T H,m A UH" P UV. N aq i e Gnmd |l SrC E UCW WAGS F 606 566 999 NH 59 95 988 999 880 10 2 an E ww m V 32 m IA u N DJ md N m m wm s a U FP S NTH M 24 33 Claims 18 Drawing Figs PrimaryExaminer-James T. McCall [52] 297/307, yJ-H- l ugh Fie1c1ofSearch....

ABSTRACT: An air chamber including a resilient boot is pro- 297/341, 3 3307 vided between the base and seat portion of a vehicle seat. A postprojects downwardly from the seat portion inside the rtical movement byrollers mounted ect to the base. Spring means resist S T N m MA an SE mTmm .5 e m U N U M 5.

boot and is guided for ve on means fixed with resp excessive upward anddownward moveme nt of the seat, and

1,855,219 4/1932 Brownell.,..,.l.n.,..l..l.,.. 248/396 2,310,346 248/419X d-aft movement of 2/1943 Bell means are provided to allow limitedfore-an tr. s h t as .m .m m at md en a mm dm .mw o l wow .m um Ta 4r mflf s m We mm mm a m %.m h es u tc 06 Oi MB 87 49 22 e S m 0 41 EN. 5899 1.1 1.1 1 09 9 n w- 99 6 Oo 22 248/39? X cushion.

3,144,270 8/1964 Bi1ancia.................

lNVENTOR Edw/h F Monroe m (f l!- SLOUGH I ATTORNEY PATENTED JUL20 I97!SHEET E OF 7 N VE N TOR Edwin /.D Monroe J. H. .sLoucH A TroRNEYPATENTED JULZOIS?! SHEET 3 OF 7 3, 59 040 lNVE/VTOR [o'win Monroe J. 2/.SLOUGH PATENIED JUL 20 |97| SHEET 5 BF 7 [dW/n P Monroe H. SLOUGHATTORNEY SUSPENSION DEVI'CIE This invention relates to suspensiondevices and particularly to a vehicle seat suspension means forproviding a safe, comfortable ride for the driver of a truck, tractor,or other heavyduty vehicle.

In general, the suspension means of this invention as herein disclosedcomprises a base plate for mounting on the floor ofa vehicle, preferablyin such manner as to provide fore-and-aft adjustment of the entire seat.A first frame is mounted for vertical cushioned movement above the baseplate by means of a flexible, cylindrical boot. The first frame has adownwardly projecting post, and roller means are mounted or: the basefor vertically guiding the post and preventing rotation of the seat.Oppositely acting spring means counteract excessive vertical shocks ineither vertical direction. A second frame comprising a main seat frameis mounted above the first frame by means of pivoted links which allowthe main seat frame limited foreand-aft swinging movement to offset thebacltslap frequently present in heavy-duty vehicles. A third framecarrying a seat cushion is mounted above the main seat frame and isvertically adjustable both at its front and rear edges whereby both theheight and angle of the seat cushion can be changed. The backrest iscarried by the main frame and is also adjustable both as to height andangle.

The suspension means as herein disclosed and illustrated is applied to avehicle seat but it will be readily understood that the same may be usedfor cushioning any desired load.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a suspension meansaffording improved shock-absorbing and shockdistributing means.

Another object of the invention is to provide cushioning suspensionmeans particularly adapted for mounting the seat ofa heavy-duty vehicle.

Still another object is to provide improved means for guiding thevertical movement of the load-carrying portion of a cushioning device.

Yet another object is to provide a vehicle seat suspension means whicheffectively offsets backslap ofthe driver.

A further object of the invention is to provide a vehicle seat havingimproved means for adjusting both the seat and backrest to any desiredheight and angle.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a suspen sionmeans wherein the firmness or softness of the ride is fully adjustableto suit different loads such as drivers of diflerent weights.

Another object is to provide a suspension means of the type referred tohaving improved means for cushioning excessive, sudden downward movementof the seat.

Yet another object is to provide a suspension means as set forth abovewherein the seat can swing in a fore -and-aft direction a limited amountto offset bacltslap ofthe driver.

An additional object is to provide such a suspension means whereinforeand-aft movement is afforded by a tiltable guide means for the post.

Other objects and advantages of the invention and the invention itselfwill be readily understood from the following description thereof andthe accompanying drawings, in which said drawings:

FIG. I is a side elevation of a truck seat and suspension meansembodying the present invention, an upper portion of the backrest beingcutaway;

FIG. 2 is a plan view as seen from the line 23-13 of FIG. I of tracksupon which the seat is mounted showing the adjustment mechanismtherefor;

FIG. 3 is a section taken along the line of FIG. ll, primarily showing atop plan view ofthe seat frames;

FIG. 4 is a side elevation of the seat frames as seen from the sideopposite to that shown in FIG. I;

FIG. 5 is a vertical section taken substantially along the line 55 of FIG. ll;

FIG. 6 is a horizontal section taken substantially along the line 6-6 ofFIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a partial section similar to FIG. 5 showing the guide meanswith certain parts removed;

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 6 showing a modification of theinvention;

FIG. 9 is a section taken substantially along the line 9-9 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line I040 ofFIG. 8;

FIG. It is an enlarged sectional detail taken along the line I llll ofFIG. El;

FIG. I2 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 5, on a reduced scale,showing a further modification of the invention;

FIG. 13 is a side elevation of the base part of the seat only, showing astill further modification ofthe invention;

FIG. MI is a section taken along the line ll I-Ml of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a section taken along the line I5-ll5 of FIG. I3;

FIG. 16 is a front elevation of a still further modified scatconstruction;

FIG. I7 is a vertical section taken along the line 17-17 of FIG. 16; and

FIG. 18 is a horizontal section taken along the line 1848 of FIG. i7.

Referring now to the drawings in all of which like parts are designatedby like reference numerals and particularly to the first embodiment ofFIGS. 1-7, a first form of the suspension device of this invention isgenerally indicated at 20 in FIG. ll, said suspension device beingmounted upon longitudinally adjustable tracks 21 and supporting avehicle seat generally indicatcd at 22. In general, the suspensiondevice 20 comprises a base plate 23 carried by the tracks 21 and havinga cylindrical housing 24 disposed on a vertical axis mounted on theupper surface thereof. Said cylindrical housing is surmounted by anair-filled resilient boot 25 the upper end of which carries a subframe26. A main seat frame 27 is swingably mounted to the subframe 26 bymeans of normally vertically hanging links 28 which are connected attheir upper ends to the subframe and at their lower ends to side plates29 depending from the sides of the main seat frame 27. A verticallyadjustable auxiliary seat frame 3b is carried above the main seat frame27 and supports a cushioned seat 31. The main seat frame 27 also carriesan adjustable cushioned backrest 32 in a manner hereinlater described indetail.

The tracks 21 provide means for adjusting the entire vehicle seat 22 andsuspension device 20 in a fore-and-aft direction and is ofa well-knowntype. As best seen in FIG. 5, each track 211 comprises a lower,hat-shaped track section 35 having laterally projecting flanges 36 andan upper, hatshaped track section 37 having laterally projectinginturned flanges 38 slidably embracing the flanges as. lBall bearings 39are interposed between the sections 35 and 37 to provide relativelyfriction free slidable movements between the sections in a well-knownmanner. The lower track sections 35 are secured to a base surface suchas the floor of a vehicle, indicated at F, the means of securingillustrated herein comprising nut and bolt assemblies tlti (FIG. ll).

As shown in FIG. 2, one laterally directed flange 36 of each lower tracksection 35 is provided with laterally open notches it, and a similarlydirected flange 3d of the upper track section 37 is provided with acutout i2 whereby said notches are selectively exposed when aligned withsaid cutout. Latch members 43 are pivoted to the flanges 38 by brackets44 and pivot pins 45, each said latch member having a downturned catch46 adapted to pivot into and out of the cutout 42 to selectively engageone of the notches 41. Coil springs 47 connecting the latch members 43to the adjacent flanges 38 bias said latch members into a lockedposition. Said latch members are connected together for simultaneousmovement by an elongated link id, and one of said latch; members has acontrol arm 49 rigidly secured thereto. The distal end of the controlarm 49 is provided with a loop 490 to which is attached a pull rope 50.Said pull rope extends laterally of the track 211 under a pulley 51carried by the base plate 23 and upwardly to the subframe 26 to whichthe same is secured. Intermediate the pulley 511 and the frame 26, saidpull rope is preferably provided with a pull handle 52 whereby a personseated upon the seat can disengage the tracks 21 for fore-and-aftmovement by simply reaching down, grasping the pull handle, and pullingupwardly Release of the pull handle 52 allows the latch members 43 toreturn to the latched position under the bias of the coil springs 47.

The cylindrical housing 24 is welded or otherwise suitably secured tothe base plate 23 and forms a part of an air chamber which includes theresilient boot 25. An airhose fitting 55 (FIG. is suitably mounted inthe wall of the cylindrical housing to which an airhosc from a suitablepressure fluid source (not shown) is attached in use of the vehicleseat. A suitable valve may be provided at the fitting 55 or it may belocated in the airhose or at any other suitable location for controllingthe pressure fluid inside the housing and boot and preventing the samefrom escaping therefrom.

The upper edge of the housing 24 has an annular mounting plate 56 weldedthereto, said mounting plate being disposed in a horizontal plane andhaving a vertically upstanding, annular collar 57 welded theretoadjacent to its outer periphery. Said collar interfits the lower end ofthe initially cylindrical boot which may be adhesively bonded to saidcollar and which is further secured by a metal band or strap 58. Theupper end of the boot is similarly telcscoped over a collar 59 to whichit may be bonded and to which it is further secured by a band or strap60. The collar 59 is welded or otherwise suitably secured to the lowersurface of a horizontal plate 61 which forms part of the subframe 26 andwhich is further provided with forwardly and rearwardly directed,inverted channel members 62 along the lateral edges thereof.Transversely directed channel members 63 (FIG. I) extend across thelower surface of the plate 61 adjacent to its forward and rearwardlydirected edges and further reinforce the plate 61 of the subframe 26.

The plate 61 is centrally apertured at 65 to receive the upper end of ahollow, cylindrical post 66 which projects downwardly below the level ofthe annular mounting plate 56. The post 66 is preferably welded to theplate 61, a reinforcing annular plate 67 being disposed around saidaperture and being welded to the lower surface of the plate 61. Theupper end of the hollow post 66 projects above the upper surface of theplate 61 a slight distance and is there provided with a resilient seal68 surmounted by a backup plate 69. On either side of the aperture 65,there are provided upwardly projecting seats 70 across which a bar '71is secured by means of bolts 72 carried by the seats 70. The bolts 72project upwardly through suitable apertures in the end portions of thebar 71, said bar being secured tightly down against the backup plate 69by means of nuts 73. Thus it will be seen that the upper end of thehollow post 66 is provided with an airtight seal which can be quicklyand easily removed for access to the interior of the post by removingthe nuts 73.

Referring now particularly to FlGS. 5-7, the outer surface of the post66 is provided with four vertically disposed, recessed ways or tracks75. Said ways or tracks are disposed at a 90 angle to each other and arepreferably disposed at a 45 angle with respect to a fore-and-aft centerline through the suspension device 20. In other words, as shown in FIG.6, the forward direction preferably is disposed halfway between twoadjacent tracks 75 as indicated by the arrow A.

Each track 75 is adapted to receive a pair of rollers 76 pivotallymounted within a U-shaped roller cage 77 by means of axle pins 78. Theroller cages 77 are all carried adjacent to the outer surface of a heavysleeve 79 by means of bolts 80 which are welded to said sleeve andproject radially outwardly between the rollers 76 and through suitableapertures in outer walls 81 of said U-shaped roller cages 77. The sleeve79 is provided at its upper and lower edges with deep notches oropenings 82 and 83, respectively, whereby the rollers 76 can projectthrough said sleeve and engage the ways or tracks 75. Suitable washerand nut assemblies 84 are provided at the outer ends of the bolts 80,and it will be readily seen that by tightening the nuts, the rollers 76can be brought into engagement with the track 75 with any desiredpressure or clearance.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the sleeve 79 is provided with angle-shapedmounting braces 85 welded thereto and having horizontal arms 86overlying the annular mounting plate 56 and flat connectors 87 weldedthereto and projecting inwardly therefrom. The inner ends of theconnectors 87 and the overlying horizontal arms 86 are suitablyapertured and secured together by nut and bolt assemblies 88.

The roller cages 77 are further provided with flat, outwardly projectingbrace members 89 overlapping the sides of said roller cages andprojecting outwardly over the annular mounting plate 56. The outwardlydirected edges of said brace members are connected by small end plates90 which are welded to the outer edges thereof to prevent their inwardcollapse. Said outer edges are further preferably provided withoutwardly open notches 91 adapted to adj ustably receive bolts 92carried by upstanding lugs 93 welded or otherwise suitably secured tothe upper surface of the mounting plate 56. The brace members 89 areadapted to closely fit between the upstanding lugs 93 and the bolts 92are provided with suitable nuts 94 whereby said brace members can besecurely connected between said lugs. ln initial assembly of thesuspension device, the rollers 76 are suitably shimmcd to provide thedesired clearance in the tracks 75, the washer and nut assemblies 84 aretightened to bring the rollers firmly against the post 66, the nuts 94are tightened upon the bolts 92 to anchor the roller cages 77 andmaintain the rollers in their fixed position, and the shims are removed.Thereafter, the rollers 76 will maintain their originally adjustedposition due to the fact that they are firmly anchored at the lugs 93.

At least a substantial portion of the inner surface of the hollow post66 is provided with threads 95 adapted to receive an exteriorly threadedtension plate 96. The tension plate 96 is disposed generally in themedial region of the post 66 and has a heavy coil spring 97 welded orotherwise suitably secured to the bottom surface thereof. The spring 97fits loosely within the hollow post 66 and extends downwardly therebelowat which point it is welded to a tension cup 98. Said tension cup has anupstanding peripheral wall 99 the upper edge of which has a laterallyoutwardly projecting flange 100 abutting the bottom edges of the rollercages 77. As best seen in FIG. 6, the tension plate 96 is provided witha pair of diametrically, oppositely disposed apertures 101 adapted toreceive a tool (not herein illustrated) for rotating the tension plate96.

From the foregoing, it will be readily understood that the heavy coilspring 97 resists excessive upward movement or rebound motion of thevehicle seat 22. This resistance to rebound can be adjusted by rotationof the tension plate 96. Access to the tension plate 96 is through theupper end of the housing 66 by simply removing the nuts 73 and the bar71 as hereinbefore explained. Adjustment in the tension of the spring 97is made with the boot 25 in the nonpressurizcd or collapsed positionwhereby the subframe 26 and parts associated therewith move downwardlyand all tension upon the spring 97 is relaxed. Under those conditions,rotating the tension plate 96 in the counterclockwise direction as shownin FIG. 6 raises said tension plate whereby upon reinflation of the boot25, the distance between the tension plate and tension cup 98 isincreased and the rebound tension is increased. During such rotation ofthe tension plate, both the coil spring 97 and the tension cup 98 willrotate since the said tension cup is not secured to the bottom edges ofthe roller cages 77. If it is desired to reduce the rebound tension,then the tension plate 96 is turned in the clockwise direction as shownin FIG. 6 whereby to shorten the distance between said tension plate andthe tension cup 98. Such adjustment would normally need to be made onlyduring the initial manufacture of the suspension device or duringmaintenance and repair thereof.

The tension cup 98 is provided with a central aperture 105 and thetension plate 96 is also provided with a central aperture 106 to providemeans for positioning supplemental cushioning means centrally within thehollow post 66. Said cushioning means comprises a cylindrical tube 107disposed upon a vertical axis and welded at its lower end to the uppersurface of the base plate 23. As herein illustrated, said tube isprovided with a resilient insert 11% made of rubber or similar resilientmaterial and fills substantially the bottom half of said tube. A coilspring 109 is slidably disposed within the upper half of the tube 11117,the lower end of said spring resting against the resilient insert lfllland the upper end of said spring carrying a small abutment plate lid.Said abutment plate is normally disposed a substantial distance belowthe seal as when the boot 25 is inflated.

in operation of the suspension device Ell, the chamber defined by thehousing 241 and the boot Ell is pressurized as hereinbefore described tothe degree of hardness or resistance desired by the operator of thevehicle, the same depending largely upon the size and weight of saidoperator. This causes the resilient boot 25 to bulge upwardly somewhatillustrated and also causes the flange ltlh of the tension cup hill toseat against the bottom edges of the roller cages "l'l'. The large coilspring 97 is automatically placed under tension to the degree determinedby the position of the tension plate ill), and the upper end of thespring 111M is spaced from the seal 68 as hereinbefore described.

When the operator of the vehicle is subjected to up and down joltingmovements of the vehicle, the resilient boot Hi will flex, alternatelyexpanding and contracting and cushion ing the downward movement of thedriver if such downward movement is of substantial extent andparticularly severe, the seal 6% backed up by the backup plate lid willcome down against the abutment plate tilt) thereby compressing thespring 109. Thus beyond a certain degree of downward movement, theresistance of the elastic boot lid is supplemented by the resistance ofthe coil spring los if the is caused to rebound from the downwardstroke, such movement is re sisted by the tensioned spring E i pullingagainst the tension cup 9%. Thus severe jolting effect is completelycontrolled by either the spring lllll or the spring "W with theresilient boot providing gentle cushioning under normal conditions.

The links 28 which afford slight fore-and-aft movement of the seat 22are pivoted at their upper ends to pair of like, transverse shafts llfidisposed through suitable apertures in depending flanges tidla of theinverted channels members till. The upper ends of said links are carriedby end portions of the shafts lll5 which project laterally beyond thechannel members 62. The lower ends of said linlts are pivoted to thesideplates 29 by means of short stub shafts carried by said sideplates.The sideplatcs 2W comprise depot of angle members lllll which engage poside and upper surfaces of horizontal side hame n of the main seat frame2'7. Qaid side frame me in FIG. 5 comprise rectangular tubing and didistance above the upper surface of the wardly directed ends of saidhorizontal side fr cfiry upright frame members lilll welded or othersand a short The rear members use rigidly secured thereto and reinforcedby tilt-angular t The horizontal side frame member i. com waited.ogether in a transverse direction to form a solid vehicle seat frame inany suitable manner such as by means of transverse members 11211 as seenin H6. 31'.

From the foregoing it will be readily-seen that tire seat frame 27 canpivot forwardly and rearwardly amount as afforded by the links to offsetbaclzslap to the "river from the backrest 32. This is best seen at theright-hat side of lFlG. ll wherein a link 2% is shown in a verticalposition in full line and in forwardly and rearwardly directed pivotedpositions in broken line. This forward and rearward pivoting isself-limit ing due to the shortness of the links Ell whereby re slightrise and fall of the vehicle seat during pivoting is uno jectionable.The short links 2% also cause the vehicle seat to always tend toward thecenter of the swing with the links hanging straight downwardly wherebyauxiliary spring means or the like are unnecessary for returning orcentering the seat.

The auxiliary seat frame is vertically adjustable with respect to themain seat frame 27just described. Said auxiliary scat frame comprises apair of side angles 130 spaced apart a greater distance than the anglemembers H7 and having inwardly projecting, horizontal flanges Ml anddownwardly projecting vertical flanges i132. Transverse members 133connect the ends of the side angles 13th as best seen in FIG. 3. Theside angles and transverse members provide a rigid frame upon which theseat cushion ill is carried.

A pair of elongated shafts l35 are disposed transversely of theauxiliary seat frame 30 and are pivoted at their ends in suitableapertures in the vertical flanges 1132 of the side angles il3ll. Asshown in FlGS. l, 3, and ll, the shafts 1135 are spaced a substantialdistance apart in the fore-and-aft direction forwardly and rearwardly ofa transverse centcrline of said auxiliary seat frame. inwardly of thevertical flanges i352 each end of each shaft lf d carries a normallydownwardly projecting, elongated adjustment member Mo which overlaps theouter surface of the adjacent sideplate fill. The adjustment members rssare provided with a plurality of uniformly spaced notches 1137 adaptedto be selectively engaged by laterally outwardly projecting pins 113%carried by the angle members 1l7. As shown in FlGS. l and 4, the notches137 open toward each other whereby the adjustment members lilo adjacentto the front of the seat must be pivoted forwardly to clear the pinsldll whereas the adjustment members: adjacent to the rear of the seatmust be pivoted rearwardly to clear said pins. Said adjustment memberslldtr are welded or otherwise suitably secured whereby they pivot withthe shafts i135, and the ends of said shafts at the left-hand side oftheseat are provided with handles T3 9 for pivoting the shafts andadjustment members. As shown in H6. l, a pin l ltl projects laterallyoutwardly from the side of the auxiliary seat frame 31D at theright-hand side of the seat, and a pair of coil springs l lll areconnected at one end to said pin Md and at the other end to thelowermost end of an adjacent adjustment member 113%. lt will be readilyunderstood that the springs l lll bias the lower ends of the adjustmentmembers 11% toward each other whereby selected notches i337 engage thepins lEld and that said adjustment members can be disengaged from saidpins 113% at either shaft i135 by pivoting one of the handles i139.

M68115 are provided for preventing forward and rearward movement of theauxiliary seat frame Elli with respect to the main seat frame 22? butwhich allow up and down adjustment of said auxiliary seat frame as wellas tilting thereof about a transverse attis disposed midway between thefront and rear edges of the seat. Said means comprise a pair of uprightstabilizer bars M5 which are pivoted at their upper ends upon pins l loprojecting inwardly from the depending vertical flanges 1132 of the sideangles liltl (FIG. t). The stabilizer bars 1145 project downwardlyalongside the outer surfaces of the sideplates 2) and are slidablyinserted through U-sh'aped guides l l'l' welded or otherwise suitablysecured to the outer surfaces of said sideplate 29. The stabilizer bars11455 are freely slidable within the guides l li whereby the auxiliaryseat frame Zld can be adjusted vertically. The pivotal connection at thepins l lo allow said auxiliary seat frame to tilt forwardly andrearwardly while at the same time preventing forward and rearwardmovement of said auxiliary seat frame. Thus, the seat cushion Ell can beadjusted upwardly by pivoting the bandles 11% and lifting the seatcushion whereby to align selected lower notches 237 with the pins Uponrelease of the handles 1139, the adjustment members lilo will be pulledback into engagement with the pins llib at selected lower notches 1137by means of the coil springs l lll thereby disposing the seat at ahigher level.

The seat cushion Ill will remain on the level position as illustrated infull lines in FlGS. l and i so long as the pins 13% engage correspondingnotches 13W in the adjustment members 136 of both shafts 1135. However,the auxiliary frame 30 can be raised more at one edge than the other bydisposing one pair of pins will in lower notches of the adjustmentmembers associated with one of the shafts lllli than in the notches ofthe adjustment members associated with the other shaft l35. For example,in the broken line position of the seat cushion 311 shown in FIG. l, thefront edge of said seat cushion has been raised with respect to the rearedge thereof'by simply disposing the front or forward pair of pins 138one notch lower in the adjustment members 136 than the rearward pins. Inthis manner, the driver can raise the seat cushion 31 to the desiredlevel and at the same time tilt it forwardly or rearwardly to the mostcomfortable angle. When it is desired to move the entire seat forwardlyor rearwardly, adjustment is made at the tracks 21 in the mannerhereinbefore described.

Vertical adjustment of the seat cushion 31 may necessitate correspondingvertical adjustment of the cushioned backrest 32. This is provided forby means of preferably two laterally spaced brackets 150 which extendrearwardly at right angles from the back of the backrest 32. Thebrackets 150 are provided with slots 1S1 disposed parallel with the backof the backrest which said slots connect a plurality of angled notches152, two of which are illustrated in FIG. 1. The angled notches 152angle forwardly and upwardly and are adapted to engage a transverse rod153 which transversely connects the upper ends of the upright framemembers 119. The rod 153 is slidable within the notches 152 and theslots 151 whereby the backrest 32 can be raised by shifting saidbackrest upwardly to cause said rod 153 to be disposed in the slot 151.By maneuvering said backrest further in an upward direction and thenbackwardly the rod 153 can be caused to engage a lower notch 152 therebydisposing the backrest in a raised position.

The backrest 32 is further tiltably adjustable at its lower end aboutthe axis of the rod 153 regardless of which notch 152 said rod may bedisposed in. The tilting means comprises a pair of forwardly projectingbrackets 154 welded to or otherwise suitably secured to the uprightframe members 119. The brackets 154 are provided with horizontal slots155, the upper edges of which are provided with a plurality of notches156. An adjustment rod 157 is disposed transversely across the back ofthe seat cushion 32 through elongated slots 158 in the brackets 150which allow free up-and-down movement of said adjustment rod relative tothe backrest 32. The end portions of the adjustment rod 157 are adaptedto engage selected notches 156 whereby said backrest may be tilted tothe desired position and retained in such position. The adjustment rod157 is retained within the selected pair of notches by springs 159 whichare preferably connected adjacent to the ends of the adjustment rod 157at one end and to the upright frame members 119 at the other end asindicated at 15911.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that the seat of this invention isfully adjustable both as to the forward and rearward adjustment of theseat and also as to the vertical adjustment thereof. Further, the seatcushion 31 can be tilted to suit the comfort of the driver, and thebackrest 32 can be raised and lowered or tilted as desired. In anyadjusted position, the vehicle seat 22 has limited forward and rearwardswinging movement to offset backslap present in heavy trucking equipmentsuch as tractor trailers and which is so often the cause of fatigue tothe driver.

The modification of FIG. 12 is identical with the first embodiment ofthe invention with the exception that the supplemental shock-absorbingmeans for offsetting extreme downward movement of the seat 22 comprisesa shock absorber 162 pivotally mounted at its lower end to the baseplate 23 by means of a pair of L-shaped brackets M3 carrying atransverse pin 164 disposed through the bottom end of said shockabsorber. The shock absorber 162 has an upwardly directed piston rod 165pivoted at its upper end to the bottom of the backup plate 69 by meansof a pair of inverted L-shaped brackets 166 carrying a transverse pin167 which projects through the upper end of the piston rod 165. Amodified seal 168 is disposed below the backup plate 69, said seal 168having a central aperture 169 through which the brackets 166 project.

The shock absorber 162 preferably allows for free downward movement ofthe eat 22 for a short distance before taking effect whereby undernormal riding conditions shocks are absorbed solely by the resilientboot 25. Said shock absorber is also preferably calibrated to provide adownward resistance proportional to the downward thrust of the seat tooffset severe jolting conditions.

The modification of FIGS. 8-11 shows an alternative means for allowingslight forward and rearward movement of the vehicle seat 22 in alladjusted positions to offset backslap. In use of the modification ofFIGS. 8-11, the links 28 attached to the channel members 62 and thesidcplates 29 would be eliminated, and the horizontal side frame members118 of the main seat frame 27 would be rigidly secured to and carried bythe upper plate 61.

In the modification, a modified sleeve 171 is provided with laterallyprojecting arms 172 which project over a modified annular mounting plate173 which replaces the annular mounting plate 56 of the firstembodiment. The laterally directed ends of the arms 172 are joined oneither side of the sleeve 171 by yokes 174 carrying transverselyoutwardly directed stub shafts or trunnions 175. Said stub shafts aremounted for pivotal movement about a transverse, horizontal axis bymeans of pillow blocks mounted upon the annular mounting plate 173. Inthis embodiment, the rollers 76 and roller cages 77 are carried solelyby the modified sleeve 171, said modified sleeve being provided withbolts 176 welded to the sleeve and projecting outwardly through saidcages and being provided with washer and nut assemblies 177. Themodified sleeve 171 is provided with openings 178 and 179 whereby therollers 76 can project through said sleeve and into the ways or tracts75 of the post 66. Theroller cages 77 are secured against rocking aboutthe bolt 176 by arms 180 welded to the sleeve 171 and secured to thesides of the cages 77 by nut and bolt assemblies 181. The arms 180 arepreferably slotted at their distal ends as indicated at 182 to provideadjustment of a type provided for by the horizontal arms 86 of the firstembodiment.

The arms 172 are welded or otherwise rigidly secured to the sleeve 171,and the yokes 174 are preferably integral with or otherwise suitablysecured to the ends of said arms on either side of the sleeve. Asparticularly shown in FIG. 9, the stub shafts or trunnions 175 arespaced upwardly a short distance above the annular mounting plate 173 bythe pillow blocks 170. The junctures between the ends of the arms 172and the ends of the yokes 174 are disposed in overlapping relationshipwith the annular mounting plate 173, and the upward spacing of the yokesand arms affords slight pivotal movement of the sleeve in a forward andrearward direction. Since the rollers 76 and roller cages 77 are securedsolely to the sleeve 171, and whereas the hollow post 66 is held captiveby said rollers engaging the tracks 75, the entire vehicle seat 22 canrock forward and rearwardly a slight amount with respect to the annularmounting plate 173, the cylindrical housing 24, and the base plate 23.The only remaining connection between said annular mounting plate andthe vehicle seat is the resilient boot 25 which resiliently affords suchmovement while having a natural tendency to move the vehicle seat backto an upright or neutral position.

To further cushion this forward and rearward rocking motion of thevehicle seat 22 and prevent the ends of the arms 172 and yokes 174 fromsuddenly striking the upper surface of the annular mounting plate 173,said mounting plate carries a plurality of coil springs 185 disposedunder the corners or junctures of the arms 172 and yokes 174. Asdetailed in FIG. 11, at each comer the annular mounting plate 173 isprovided with an aperture 186 beneath which is welded or otherwisesuitably secured a cup-shaped well 187. Each coil spring 185 is seatedin a well 187 and compressively engages the lower surface of thejuncture between the arms 172 and yokes 174. Thus, forward and rearwardjolts affecting the vehicle seat are cushioned by slight forward andrearward movement of the seat acting against the coil springs 185 andthe resilient boot 25 to offset objectionable backslap to the driver.

A further modification and alternative construction for eliminatingbackslap by allowing slight forward and rearward movement of the vehicleseat is illustrated in FIGS 1315. This modification is concerned onlywith a modified base plate 190 which is hinged at either the forward orrearward edge thereof and spring balanced at the opposite edge to allowsuch movement. As herein illustrated, a horizontal bar or brace I911 iswelded or otherwise suitably secured transversely across the tops of theupper track sections 37 of the tracks 211. An elongated hinge l92 hasone leaf 193 welded or otherwise suitably secured to the rear edge ofthe base plate 1190 and the other leaf I94 thereof welded or otherwisesuitably secured to the brace 1191. As particularly shown in FIG. 13,the arrangement is such that the base plate 190 is disposed a slightdistance above the upper track sections 37.

Adjacent to the forward edge of the base plate W and beneath the forwardportion thereof, a second horizontal brace 1l95 is disposed across thetops of the flanges 3d of the upper track section 37. The brace iswelded or otherwise suitably secured to the upper track sections and isprovided with apertures 1196 and downwardly projecting wells 197 in amanner similar to that shown and described in connection with FIG. Ill.The wells 1197 are disposed adjacent to the tracks 211 and are adaptedto seat coil springs 19% which compressively engage the lower surfaceofa front edge portion of the base plate 119d. The second horizontalbrace 1195 is centrally apertured at I99, and a bolt 20b projectsupwardly therethrough and upwardly through an aperture 2tll in the baseplate I90. The bolt 2010 projects upwardly above the upper surface ofthe base plate I90 a substantial distance and has a threaded upper endengaged by an adjusting wheel 202. A coil spring 203 is interposedbetween the base plate i190 and the adjusting wheel 202, whereby more oror less resilient pressure may be brought to bear upon the forward edgeof the base plate by tightening or loosening the adjusting wheel 202.Small resilient pads 2% are carried on the upper track sections 37beneath the forward edge portions of the base plate 190 to cushion thebase plate if it pivots downwardly far enough to strike the track 2i.

The springs 1192 and 2693 are so calibrated that by manipulating theadjusting wheel 202, the driver can adjust the base plate to the levelposition while sitting in the vehicle seat. It will be readily seen thatsaid vehicle seat can pivot about the hinge 1192 and that the rockingmotion will be cushioned and restrained by the coil springs 198 and2123. It will be further appreciated that due to the effective lever armbetween the hinge 192 and the vehicle seat, only very slight movement isneeded at the base plate ll9tl to afford adequate protection againstbackslap to the drive of the vehicle.

The modification of FIGS. Iii-lid shows a low profile truck seat whichincorporates the slight forward and rearward motion of the firstembodiment and the vertical adjustment and tilting feature of the seatcushion thereof in conjunction with a modified shock-absorbing meansdisposed between the tracks and the subframe.

Tracks of the type shown at 121i in the previous embodiments butslightly modified thereover are shown at 211th in FlGS. Ito-11b. Thesaid traclts comprise lower track sections 2111 having laterallydirected flanges 2112, and upper track sections 213 having laterallyoutwardly directed and bacltwardly turned flanges 214i which slidablyengage said flanges 2H2. Ball bearings 215 are disposed between tracl fitions to afford a relatively friction-free forward and team movement ofthe seat as hereinbefore described. The tracks 2110 are suitably mountedupon the floor F, the lower traclt section 2111 being bolted orotherwise suitably secured to the floor, and the upper track sectionsare movable relative to the lower track sections. The upper tracksections 213 are transversely con nected across their forward andrearward ends by anglcshaped connecting members 2116 and 2117,respectively, secured to said upper track sections by any suitable meanssuch as nut and bolt assemblies 218. A third angic-shaped connectingmember 219 is disposed intermediate the connecting members 2116 and 2117and is welded or otherwise suitably secured to the upper track sections213.

A subframe 220 comprising longitudinally disposed side frame members 221and transverse end frame members 222 llll surmounted by a flat plate 223is horizontally disposed in upwardly spaced relationship to the tracks210 and the aforementioned connecting members 2116, 2117, and 2119. Asbest seen in FIG. 16, the forward end of the subframc 220 is providedwith downwardly directed arms 224 disposed adjacent to the side framemembers 22l. The forwardly disposed, angle-shaped connecting members2116 carried by the upper track sections N3 is similarly provided with apair of upwardly directed arms 225 which are disposed adjacent to andvertically overlap the arms 224. The arms 22d and 225 are pivotallyconnected together by pins can whereby the subframe 220 is pivotablewith respect to said forward connecting member 216 and the traclts 2110.

Resilient cushioning means 230 is provided beneath the rear end portionof the subframe 222 to cushion the seat against sudden, verticalmovement. As shown in FIG. 18, there are two of said cushioning means230, each said cushioning means being disposed adjacent to a track 2110.The cushioning means 230 are bridged across the upper edges of verticalflanges 231 and 232 of the transverse, angle-shaped connecting members217 and 2l9, respectively. Each cushioning means comprises a pair ofV-shaped members 233 formed of heavy sheet metal and providing generallyinwardly directed flange portions 234 and laterally outwardly andupwardly directed flange portions 235. The distal edges of the flangeportions 234 are welded or otherwise suitably secured to the upper edgesof the vertical flanges 23l and 232, and said flange portions 234 aregenerally directed inwardly toward each other whereby the upwardly andoutwardly angled flange portions 235 diverge in an upward direction.

The bottom of the flat plate 223 carries an inverted, U shaped member236 having a central web 237 secured flatwise to the bottom of saidplate. The forward and rearwardly directed edges of said U-shapcd memberare provided with downwardly and inwardly converging flanges 238 whichare spaced from and disposed substantially parallel with the flangeportions 235 of the V-shaped members 233. Rectangular blocks or slabs239 of rubber or similar resilient material are disposed between andvulcanized to opposed pairs of flange portions 235 and flanges 233. Theblocks or slabs 239 of resilient material are thus disposed in anangular, upwardly convergent relationship whereby pressure upon thesubframe v 220 distributes the load therefrom in downward and forwardlyand rearwardly angled directions upon the blocks or slabs 239.

A main seat frame 24l2 of substantially the same construction as themain seat frame 27 of the first embodiment is mounted above the subframe220. Said main seat frame 242 comprises a pair of side angle members 2%having elongated, vertical sideplate portions 244 and inwardly directed,horizontal portions 24l5. Connecting bars 2 are disposed across thehorizontal portions 2415 adjacent to the forward and rearwardly directedends of the side angle members, and said side angle members projectrearwardly beyond the sideplate portions 2441 and are connected at theirdistal ends with upright frame members 247 for supporting the backcushion of the seat (not shown). The main seat frame 242 is swingablymounted to the subframe 220 in the same manner as in the firstembodiment by means of links 24s. Said links 2413 are provided at theirupper ends with later-ally directed pins 2419, pivotally connecting themto the subfrarne 220, and at their lower ends with laterally directedpins 250 for connecting them to the sideplate portions 2441. The pins249 and 250 project through suitable apertures in side frame members2211 and the sideplate portions 241d and are threaded at their distalends to receive suitable nuts 25l and 252, respectively, whereby saidlinks are secured in place.

An auxiliary seat frame 30 carrying a seat cushion 3ll is mounted uponthe main seat frame 2A2 in the same manner as that described inconnection with the first embodiment of the invention whereby said seatcushion is vertically adjustable and tiltable by means of adjustmentmembers I36.

The slightly modified tracks 2110 are provided with a pair of thehercinbefore described latch members 413, the tracks being so disposedwith relation to each other that both latch members are disposed betweenthe tracks and ;operate to unlatch the upper track section 213 from thelower track section 211 by pivoting inwardly. One of the latch membersis provided with a modified control arm 49 which projects inwardlybetween the rails and is provided at its inner end with a loop 49a. Acable 253 is connected at one end through an aperture 254 in the outerlatch member 43, said cable being threaded through the loop 49a andforwardly through an aperture 255 in an upstanding, vertical flange 256of the forward, angleshaped connecting member 216. The forward end ofthe cable 253 is provided with a pull handle 257 which can be readilypulled by the driver of rider to thereby pivot the latch members 43inwardly away from the tracks 210 to disengage the two track sectionsand allow relative movement therebetwcen in the manner hereinbeforedescribed.

From the foregoing, it will be understood that the seat of themodification of FIGS. 16-18 provides all of the vertical andseat-tilting adjustments as set forth in connection with the firstembodiment as well as the slight forward and rearward swinging motion tooffset backslap to the driver and that the same is incorporated in a lowprofile truck wherein the front portion of the seat is pivotable and therear portion thereof is afforded slight vertical movement by thecushioning means 230.

The present invention provides a vehicle seat which is fully adjustablein every direction and angle needed to afford complete comfort to thedriver and further affords cushioning for all jolting movements andshocks to which the operator of the vehicle is normally subjected,particularly in heavy-duty trucking equipment.

What I claim is:

1. In a suspension means, a base member mounted upon a surface means; aframe member vertically movably mounted with respect to said base memberabove said base member; a depending post carried by said frame member;guide means carried by said base member and receiving said post forvertical movement thereof with respect to said base member; said guidemeans comprising roller means spaced around said post; said post havingvertically directed, recessed ways provided in the outer surfacethereof; said roller means engaging said ways, edges of said recessedways overlapping portions of said roller means and preventing rotationof said post about its own axis; means providing an airtight chamberaround said post and guide means, the chamber including a resilient bootin airtight engagement with said base member and said frame member andadapted to be inflated to resiliently support said frame member; avertically adjustable member carried by said post having resilient meansdepending therefrom below the post, means carried at the lower end ofsaid resilient means and abutting upwardly against means fixed withrespect to said base member whereby said resilient means resistsexcessive rebound of said frame member; and shock'absorbing meansdisposed between said base member and said frame member to absorb theshock of excessive sudden downward movement of said frame member.

2. In a suspension means, a base member mounted upon a surface means; aframe member vertically movably mounted with respect to said base memberabove said base member; a depending post carried by said frame member;guide means carried by said base member and receiving said post forvertical movement thereof with respect to said base member; said guidemeans comprising roller means spaced around said post and contacting theouter surface thereof; means providing an airtight chamber around saidpost and guide means, the chamber including a resilient boot in airtightengagement with said base member and said frame member and adapted to beinflated to resiliently support said frame member; a verticallyadjustable member carried by said post having spring means dependingtherefrom below the post, means carried at the lower end of said springand abutting upwardly against means fixed with respect to said basemember whereby said spring resists excessive rebound of said framemember; shock-absorbing means disposed between said base member and saidframe member to absorb the shock of excessive sudden downward movementof said frame member, each said roller means comprising pairs of rollersmounted on horizontal axes and spaced vertically from each other; saidpost having vertically directed, recessed ways provided in the outersurface thereof; a pair of rollers engaging each said way for rollingengagement therewith, edges of said recesses overlapping peripheral edgeportions of said rollers and preventing rotation of said post about itsown axis.

3. In a suspension means, a base member mounted upon a surface means; aframe member vertically movably mounted with respect to said base memberabove said base member; a depending post carried by said frame member;guide means carried by said base member and receiving said post forvertical movement thereof with respect to said base member; said guidemeans comprising roller means spaced around said post and contacting theouter surface thereof; means providing an airtight chamber around saidpost and guide means, the chamber including a resilient boot in airtightengagement with said base member and said frame member and adapted to beinflated to resiliently support said frame member; a verticallyadjustable member carried by said post having spring means dependingtherefrom below the post, means carried at the lower end of said springand abutting upwardly against means fixed with respect to said basemember whereby said spring resists excessive rebound of said framemember; shock-absorb ing means disposed between said base member andsaid frame member to absorb the shock of excessive sudden downwardmovement of said frame member, said roller means comprising a pluralityof vertically directed roller cages spaced uniformly around said post;each said cage carrying two vertically spaced rollers mounted onhorizontal axes; said post hav' ing vertically directed, recessed waysprovided in the outer surface thereof; a pair of said rollers of aroller cage engaging each of said recessed ways whereby said post isvertically and nonrotatably mounted with respect to said guide means.

4. In a suspension means as set forth in claim 3: said guide meansincluding means for adjusting the clearance between said rollers andsaid tracks and means for anchoring said roller cage in any adjustedposition of said rollers.

5. in a suspension means, a base member mounted upon a surface means; aframe member vertically movably mounted with respect to said base memberabove said base member; a depending post carried by said frame member;guide means carried by said base member and receiving said post forvertical movement thereof with respect to said base member; said guidemeans comprising roller means spaced around said post and contacting theouter surface thereof; means providing an airtight chamber around saidpost and guide means, the chamber including a resilient boot in airtightengagement with said base member and said frame member and adapted to beinflated to resiliently support said frame member; a verticallyadjustable member carried by said post having spring means dependingtherefrom below the post, means carried at the lower end of said springand abutting upwardly against means fixed with respect to said basemember whereby said spring resists excessive rebound of said framemember; shock-absorbing means disposed between said base member and saidframe member to absorb the shock of excessive sudden downward movementof said frame member, said guide means comprising a sleeve surroundingand spaced from said post; a plurality of roller cages uniformly spacedaround said post and having openings therein; bolt means projectingradially outwardly from said sleeve through said openings and havingtightening means at the outer ends thereof for adjusting said cagestoward said post; each said cage having a pair of rollers mountedtherein above and below the bolt means associated therewith, saidrollers disposed on horizontal axes with the peripheries thereofengaging said post; brace means projecting outwardly from said cages;lug means mounted rigidly with respect to said base member and disposedadjacent to said brace means; and means for rigidly connecting saidbrace means to said lug means for anchoring said roller cage in anyadjusted position ofsaid rollers.

lid

6. In a suspension means as set forth in claim said post havingvertically directed, recessed ways provided in the outer surfacethereof; said rollers engaging said ways, edges of said recessesoverlapping peripheral edge portions of said rollers and preventingrotation of said post about its own axis.

7. in a suspension means as set forth in claim ll: a vehicle seat framespaced upwardly above said frame member; said seat frame having sidemembers projecting downwardly on either lateral side of said framemember and extending below said frame member; link means connecting saidframe member to said seat frame in a vertical direction, the upper endthereof being pivoted to said frame member and the lower end thereofbeing pivoted to said side members whereby said seat frame has limitedfore-and-aft swinging movement with respect to said frame member tooffset backslap to the driver, said seat frame always tending to assumea nonpivoted, neutral position.

8. in a suspension means as set forth in claim '7: said link meanscomprising pairs of links disposed on either side of said frame memberadjacent to the front and rear, respectively, of said seat frame.

9. in a suspension means as set forth in claim l: a vehicle seat frameassociated with said frame member; an auxiliary seat frame disposedabove said main seat frame and having a seat thereon; said auxiliaryseat frame having transverse rods pivotally mounted forwardly andrearwardly of the transverse centerline of said auxiliary seat frame;said rods having handle means at one end thereof for pivoting said rods;elongated adjustment members secured adjacent to the ends of said rodsand normally projecting downwardly adjacent to the lateral sides of saidvehicle seat frame; each said adjustment member having a plurality ofspaced notches opening toward one edge thereof; pin means projectinglaterally from the sides of said vehicle seat frame and said adjustmentmembers being pivota ble by said rods toward and away from said pinswhereby said pins engage selected of said notches to raise and lower thefront and rear of said auxiliary seat frame; means resiliently urgingsaid adjustment members toward said pins whereby said pins engageselected of said notches; and stabilizing means for preventing forwardand rearward movement while affording vertical movement of saidauxiliary seat frame with respect to said vehicle seat frame whereby toadjust said seat to the desired height and angle.

lit in a suspension means, a base member mounted upon a surface means; aframe member vertically movably mounted with respect to said base memberabove said base member; a depending post carried by said frame member;guide means carried by said base member and receiving said post forvertical movement thereof with respect to said base member; said guidemeans comprising roller means spaced around said post and contacting theouter surface thereof; means providing an airtight chamber around saidpost and guide means the chamber including a resilient boot in airtightengagement with said base member and said frame member and adapted to beinflated to resiliently support said frame member; a verticallyadjustable member carried by said post having spring means dependingtherefrom below the post, means carried at the lower end of said springand abutting upwardly against means fixed with respect to said basemember whereby at 'd spring resists excessive rebound of said framelricmbcr; siioelonbsorb ing means disposed between said base member andsaid frame member to absorb the shock of excessive sudden downwardmovement of said frame member; a vehicle seat frame as sociated withsaid frame member; an auxiiiary seat frame disposed above said vehicleseat frame and having a seat thereon; said auxiliary seat frame havingtransverse rods pivotally mounted forwardly and rearwardiy of thetransverse centerline ofsaid auxiliary seat frame; said rods havinghandle means at one end thereof for pivoting said rods; elongatedadjustment members secured adjacent to the ends of said rods andnormally projecting downwardly adjacent to the lateral sides of saidvehicle seat frame; each said adjustment member having a plurality ofspaced notches opening toward one edge thereof; pin means projectinglaterally from the sides of said lid vehicle seat frame and saidadjustment members being pivotablc by said rods toward and away fromsaid pins whereby said pins engage selected of said notches to raise andlower the front and rear of said auxiliary scat frame; stabilizing meansfor preventing forward and rearward movement while affording verticalmovement of said auxiliary seat frame with respect to said vehicle seatframe whereby to adjust said seat to the desired height and angle; saidstabilizing means comprising vertically disposed stabilizer bars pivotedat their upper ends adjacent to the sides of said auxiliary framesubstantially midway between said rods and projecting downwardlyalongside the lateral sides of said vehicle seat. frame; and guide meanscarried by said vehicle seat frame slidably receiving said stabilizerbars for vertical movement only.

lll. In a suspension means as set forth in claim 10: means resilientlyurging said adjustment members toward said pins whereby said pins engageselected of said notches 12. in a suspension means as set forth in claim1: said post being hollow; means closing the upper end of said post;said shock-absorbing means comprising upwardly projecting spring meanscarried by said base member and projecting into said hollow post, theupper end of said spring means being normally spaced from the upper endof the post and adapted to abut said means closing the upper end of saidpost upon excessive downward movement of the frame member.

i3. In a suspension means, a base member mounted upon a surface means; aframe member vertically movably mounted with respect to said base memberabove said base member; a depending post carried by said frame member;guide means carried by said base member and receiving said post forvertical movement thereof with respect to said base member; said guidemeans comprising roller means. spaced around said post and contactingthe outer surface thereof; means providing an airtight chamber aroundsaid post and guide means, the chamber including a resilient boot inairtight engagement with said base member and said frame member andadapted to be inflated to resiliently support said frame member; avertically adjustable member carried by said post having spring meansdepending therefrom below the post, means carried at the lower end ofsaid spring and abutting upwardly against means fixed with respect tosaid base member whereby said spring resists excessive rebound of saidframe member; shock-absorbing means disposed between said base memberand said frame member to absorb the shock of excessive sudden downwardmovement of said frame member; said post being hollow; means closing theupper end of said post; said shock-absorbing means comprising upwardlyprojecting spring means carried by said base member and projecting intosaid hollow post, the upper end of said spring means being normallyspaced from the upper end of the post and adapted to abut said meansclosing the upper end of said post upon excessive downward movement ofthe frame member, an axially vertical tube secured at its lower end tosaid base member and projecting upwardly into said post; an insertmember of resilient material disposed within and filling a substantialportion of said tube; said spring means comprising a coil springtelescoped into the upper end portion of said tube.

M. in a suspension means, a base member mounted upon a surface means; aframe member vertically movably mounted with respect to said base memberabove said base member; a depending post carried by said frame member;guide means carried by said base member and receiving said post forvertical movement thereof with respect to said base member; said guidemeans comprising roller means spaced around said post and contacting theouter surface thereof; means providing an airtight chamber around saidpost and guide means the chamber including a resilient boot in airtightengagement with said base member and said frame member and adapted to beinflated to resiliently support said frame member; a verticallyadjustable member carried by said post having spring means dependingtherefrom below the post, means carried at the lower end of said springand abutting upwardly against means fixed with respect to said basemember whereby said spring resists excessive rebound of said framemember; shock-absorbing means disposed between said base member and saidframe member to absorb the shock of excessive sudden downward movementof said frame member, said guide means being pivotally mounted upon ahorizontal axis with respect to said base member for restricted tiltingmovement in one horizontal direction; and means resiliently urging saidguide means toward a nontilted, vertical position.

15. In a suspension means, a base member mounted upon a surface means; aframe member vertically movably mounted with respect to said base memberabove said base member; a depending post carried by said frame member;guide means carried by said base member and receiving said post forvertical movement thereof with respect to said base member; said guidemeans comprising roller means spaced around said post and contacting theouter surface thereof; means providing an airtight chamber around saidpost and guide means, the chamber including a resilient boot in airtightengagement with said base member and said frame member and adapted to beinflated to resiliently support said frame member; a verticallyadjustable member carried by said post having spring means dependingtherefrom below the post, means carried at the lower end of said springand abutting upwardly against means fixed with respect to said basemember whereby said spring resists excessive rebound of said framemember; shock-absorbing means disposed between said base member and saidframe member to absorb the shock of excessive sudden downward movementof said frame member, a vehicle seat mounted upon said frame member;said guide means being pivotally mounted upon an axis transverse to thefore-and-aft direction of said seat for restricted tilting movement ofthe seat in a fore-andaft direction; and means resiliently urging saidguide means toward a nontilted, vertical position.

16. In a suspension means as set forth in claim 15: a sleeve looselysurrounding said post; a plurality of roller cages spaced around saidsleeve and mounted thereto; said roller means mounted in said rollercages and engaging the outer surface of said post to guide said post;and means mounting said sleeve for pivotal movement with respect to saidbase member about said transverse axis.

17. In a suspension means as set forth in claim 16: said means mountingsaid sleeve comprising mounting means carried by said base havingmounting surface portions disposed on either lateral side of saidsleeve; means extending laterally from said sleeve including laterallyprojecting trunnions; bearing means carried by said mounting surfaceportions and journaling said trunnions; and spring means interposedbetween said laterally extending means and said mounting means forwardlyand reanivardly of said transverse axis and resisting tilting movementofsaid guide means.

18. in a suspension means, a base member mounted upon a surface means; aframe member vertically movably mounted with respect to said base memberabove said base member; a depending post carried by said frame member;guide means carried by said base member and receiving said post forvertical movement thereof with respect to said base member; said guidemeans comprising roller means spaced around said post and contacting theouter surface thereof; means providing an airtight chamber around saidpost and guide means, the chamber including a resilient boot in airtightengagement with said base member and said frame member and adapted to beinflated to resiliently support said frame member; a verticallyadjustable member carried by said post having spring means dependingtherefrom below the post, means carried at the lower end of said springand abutting upwardly against means fixed with respect to said basemember whereby said spring resists excessive rebound of said framemember; shock-absorbing means disposed between said base member and saidframe member to absorb the shock of excessive sudden downward movementof said frame member, said base member having forwardly and rearwardlydirected edge portions; one of said edge portions being hinged withrespect to said surface means; the other of said edge portions beinginterposed between oppositely vertically acting resilient meansresisting and limiting pivotal movement of said base member about saidhinge.

19. In a suspension means, a base member mounted upon a surface means; aframe member vertically movably mounted with respect to said base memberabove said base member; a depending post carried by said frame member;guide means carried by said base member and receiving said post forverti cal movement thereof with respect to said base member; said guidemeans comprising roller means spaced around said post and contacting theouter surface thereof; means providing an .airtight chamber around saidpost and guide means, the

chamber including a resilient boot in airtight engagement with said basemember and said frame member and adapted to be inflated to resilientlysupport said frame member; a vertically adjustable member carried bysaid post having spring means depending therefrom below the post, meanscarried at the lower end of said spring and abutting upwardly againstmeans fixed with respect to said base member whereby said spring resistsexcessive rebound of, said frame member; shock-absorbing means disposedbetween said base member and said frame member to absorb the shock ofexcessive sudden downward movement of said frame member, a vehicle seatmounted upon said frame member; said base member having forwardly andrearwardly directed edge portions corresponding to the fore-andaftdirections, respectively, of said seat; one of said edge portions beinghinged with respect to said surface means; the other of said edgeportions being interposed between oppositely vertically acting resilientmeans resisting and limiting pivotal movement of said base member aboutsaid hinge to control backslap of said seat.

20. In a suspension means as set forth in claim 19: said base memberbeing hinged at the rearwardly directed edge portion of said basemember; spring means interposed between said forward edge portion andsaid surface means; bolt means vertically anchored with respect to saidsurface means and projecting upwardly through said forward edge portion;an adjustment wheel thread fitted to the upper end of said bolt means;and spring means interposed between said adjustment wheel and saidforward edge portion whereby upon rotation of said adjustment wheel,downward resilient pressure against said forward edge portion is varied.

2]. In a suspension means as set forth in claim 1: said frame memberbeing a vehicle seat frame having a horizontal portion supporting a seatand vertical portion carrying a backrest; said vertical portionincluding a transverse, fixed rod; bracket means disposed at the back ofsaid backrest; said bracket means having slot means disposedsubstantially parallel with said backrest and having said transverse rodprojecting therethrough; plurality of forwardly and upwardly anglednotches intersecting said slot means whereby said backrest can be raisedand lowered by disposing said rod in selected of said notches; andadjustment means adjacent to the lower end of said backrest for tiltingsaid backrest forwardly and rear wardly at its lower edge.

22. in a suspension means, a base member mounted upon a surface means; aframe member vertically movably mounted with respect to said base memberabove said base member; a depending post carried by said frame member;guide means carried by said base member and receiving said post forvertical movement thereof with respect to said base member; said guidemeans comprising roller means spaced around said post and contacting theouter surface thereof; means providing an airtight chamber around saidpost and guide means, the chamber including a resilient boot in airtightengagement with said base member and said frame member and adapted to beinflated to resiliently support said frame member; a verticallyadjustable member carried by said post having spring means dependingtherefrom below the post, means carried at the lower end of said springand abutting upwardly against means fixed with respect to said basemember whereby said spring resists excessive rebound of said framemember; shock-absorbing means disposed between said base member and saidframe member to absorb the shock of excessive sudden downward movementof said frame member; said frame member being a vehicle seat framehaving a horizontal portion supporting a seat and vertical portioncarrying a backrest; said vertical por tion including a transverse,fixed rod; bracket means disposed at the back of said backrest; saidbracket means having slot means disposed substantially parallel withsaid backrest and having said transverse rod projecting therethrough; aplurality of forwardly and upwardly angled notches intersecting saidslot means whereby said backrest can be raised and lowered by disposingsaid rod in selected of said notches; adjustment means adjacent to thelower end of said backrest for tilting said backrest forwardly andrearwardly at its lower edge; said adjustment means comprising meansproviding horizontal slot means associated with said vertical portion ofthe seat frame below said fixed rod; means providing a plurality ofnotches in one horizontal edge of said slot means; said bracket meanshaving a second slot means disposed substantially parallel with saidbackrest below the level of said firstmentioned slot means; a secondtransverse rod disposed through said horizontal slot means and saidsecond slot means; and means resiliently urging said second rod towardsaid notches whereby to hold said rod in a selected one of said notchesand whereby said rod can be pushed out of one notch and along saidhorizontal slot into another of said notches.

23. in a vehicle seat suspension means having a base member, a seatframe spaced above said base member, and shoclcabsorbing means disposedbetween said base member and seat frame to cushion the scat frameagainst road shocks, a post projecting downwardly from said seat frame;support means carried by said base member and surrounding said post; aplurality of carrier members mounted on said support means and spacedaround said post; each carrier member having roller means engaging saidpost for relative rolling movement parallel with the axis of said post;and said post having a plurality of vertically directed, recessed waysin its outer surface in which said roller means travel, edges of saidrecessed ways overlapping portions of said roller means and preventingrotation ofsaid post about its own axis.

24k in a vehicle seat suspension means having a base member, a seatframe spaced above said base member, and shock-absorbing means disposedbetween said base member and seat frame to cushion the seat frameagainst road shocks, a post projecting downwardly from said seat frame;support means carried by said base member and surrounding said post; aplurality of carrier members mounted on said support means and spacedaround said post; each carrier member having roller means engaging saidport for relative rolling movement parallel with the axis of said post;said porn having a plurality of vertically directed, recessed ways inits b r surface in which said roller means travel; means for adjust geach said carrier member toward and away from said pos .nd means foranchoring said carrier member in its adjt ted isition 25. in a vehicleseat suspen on means as t in claim 24: said roller means comprising atleast two rollers mounted on horizontal axes in vertically spacedrelation in each said carrier.

26. in a vehicle seat suspension means having base means, a subframespaced above said base means, and sho orbing means disposed between saidbase means e to cushion the vehicle seat against road shoe u, c. in seatframe disposed and spaced above said sublrame; said seat frame havingside members projecting downwardly on either lateral side of saidsubframe and extending below said subframe; link means connecting saidsubframe to said seat frame in a vertical direction, the upper endthereof beir ivoted to said subframe and the lower end thereof beingvoted to said side members whereby said seat frame has limitedtioraandaft swinging movement with respect to suhfrarne to offsetbackslap to the driver.

27. In a vehicle seat suspension means as set forth in claim 26: saidlink means comprising pairs of links disposed on either side of saidsubframe adjacent to the front and rear, respectively, of said seatframe.

28. In a vehicle seat suspension means having base means, a main seatframe spaced above said base means, and shock-absorbing means disposedbetween said base means and said main seat frame to cushion the vehicleseat against road shocks, an auxiliary seat frame disposed above saidmain seat frame and having a seat thereon; said auxiliary seat framehaving transverse rods pivotally mounted thereto forwardly andrearwardly of the transverse centerline of said auxiliary seat frame;said rods having handle means at one end thereof for pivoting said rods;elongated adjustment members secured adjacent to the ends of said rodsand normally projecting downwardly adjacent to the lateral sides of saidmain seat frame; each adjustment member having a plurality of spacednotches opening toward one edge thereof; pin means projecting laterallyfrom the sides of said main seat frame and said ad justment membersbeing pivotable by said rods toward and away from said pins whereby saidpins engage selected of said notches to raise and lower the front andrear of said auxiliary scat frame; means resiliently urging saidadjustment members toward said pins whereby said pins engage selected ofsaid notches; and stabilizing means for preventing forward and rearwardmovement while affording vertical movement of said auxiliary seat framewith respect to said main seat frame whereby to adjust said seat to thedesired height and angle.

29. In a vehicle seat suspension means as set forth in claim 28: saidstabilizing means comprising vertically disposed stabilizer bars pivotedat their upper ends adjacent to the sides of said auxiliary seat framesubstantially midway between said rods and projecting downwardlyalongside the lateral sides of said main seat frame; and guide meanscarried by said main seat frame slidably receiving said stabilizer barsfor vertical movement only.

30. In a vehicle seat suspension means as set forth in claim 29: saidmain seat frame having a vertical portion carrying a backrest; saidvertical portion including a. transverse, fixed rod; bracket meansdisposed at the back of said backrest; said bracket means having slotmeans disposed substantially paral' lel with said backrest and havingsaid transverse rod projecting therethrough; a plurality of forwardlyand upwardly angled notches intersecting said slot means whereby saidbackrest can be raised and lowered by disposing, said rod in selected ofsaid notches; and adjustment means adjacent to the lower end of saidbackrest for tilting said backrest forwardly and rear wardly at it loweredge.

31. in a vehicle seat suspension means as set forth in claim 3t saidadjustment means comprising means providing horizontal slot meansassociated with said vertical portion of the seat frame below said fixedrod; means providing a plurality of notches in one horizontal edge ofsaid slot means; said bracket means having a second slot means disposedsubstantially parallei with said backrest below the level of saidfirstrnentioncd slot means; a second transverse rod disposed throughsaid horizontal slot means and said second slot means; and meansresiliently urging said second rod toward said notches whereby to holdsaid rod in a selected one of said notches and whereby said rod can bepushed out of one notch and along said horizontal slot into another ofsaid notches.

32. in a vehicle seat suspension means having a base member, a seatframe spaced above said base member, and shock-absorbing means disposedbetween said base member and seat frame to cushion the seat frameagainst road shocks, a post projecting downwardly from said seat frame;support means carried by said base member and surrounding said post; aplurality of carrier members mounted on said support means and spacedaround said post; each carrier member having roller means engaging saidpost for relative rolling movement parallel with the axis of said post;each said roller means comprising pairs of rollers mounted on horizontalaxes and spaced vertically from each other; said post having verticallydirected, recessed ways provided in the outer surface thereof; a pair ofrollers engaging each said way for rolling engagement therewith, edgesof said recesses overlapping peripheral edge portions of said rollersand preventing rotation of said post about its own axis.

mounted upon surface means fixed with respect to the vehicle, a basemember; a seat frame carried by said base member; said base memberhaving forwardly and rearwardly directed edge respect to said surfacemeans; the other of said edge portions being interposed betweenoppositely vertically acting resilient means resisting and limitingpivotal movement of said base member out said hin e to control backslaof said seat portions corresponding to the fore-and-aft directions,respecab g p tively, of said seat; one of said edge portions beinghinged with

1. In a suspension means, a base member mounted upon a surface means; aframe member vertically movably mounted with respect to said base memberabove said base member; a depending post carried by said frame member;guide means carried by said base member and receiving said post forvertical movement thereof with respect to said base member; said guidemeans comprising roller means spaced around said post; said post havingvertically directed, recessed ways provided in the outer surfacethereof; said roller means engaging said ways, edges of said recessedways overlapping portions of said roller means and preventing rotationof said post about its own axis; means providing an airtight chamberaround said post and guide means, the chamber including a resilient bootin airtight engagement with said base member and said frame member andadapted to be inflated to resiliently support said frame member; avertically adjustable member carried by said post having resilient meansdepending therefrom below the post, means carried at the lower end ofsaid resilient means and abutting upwardly against means fixed withrespect to said base member whereby said resilient means resistsexcessive rebound of said frame member; and shock-absorbing meansdisposed between said base member and said frame member to absorb theshock of excessive sudden downward movement of said frame member.
 2. Ina suspension means, a base member mounted upon a surface means; a framemember vertically movably mounted with respect to said base member abovesaid base member; a depending post carried by said frame member; guidemeans carried by said base member and receiving said post for verticalmovement thereof with respect to said base member; said guide meanscomprising roller means spaced around said post and contacting the outersurface thereof; means providing an airtight chamber around said postand guide means, the chamber including a resilient boot in airtightengagement with said base member and said frame member and adapted to beinflated to resiliently support said frame member; a verticallyadjustable member carried by said post having spring means dependingtherefrom below the post, means carried at the lower end of said springand abutting upwardly against means fixed with respect to said basemember whereby said spring resists excessive rebound of said framemember; shock-absorbing means disposed between said base member and saidframe member to absorb the shock of excessive sudden downward movementof said frame member, each said roller means comprising pairs of rollersmounted on horizontal axes and spaced vertically from each other; saidpost having vertically directed, recessed ways provided in the outersurface thereof; a pair of rollers engaging each said way for rollingengagement therewith, edges of said recesses overlapping peripheral edgeportions of said rollers and preventing rotation of said post about itsown axis.
 3. In a suspension means, a base member mounted upon a surfacemeans; a frame member vertically movably mounted with respect to saidbase member above said base member; a depending post carried by saidframe member; guide means carried by said base member and receiving saidpost for vertical movement thereof with respect to said base member;said guide means comprising roller means spaced around said post andcontacting the outer surface thereof; means providing an airtightchamber around said post and guide means, the chamber including aresilient boot in airtight engagement with said base member and saidframe member and adapted to be inflated to resiliently support saidframe member; a vertically adjustable member carried by said post havingspring means depending therefrom below the post, means carried at thelower end of said spring and abutting upwardly against means fixed withrespect to said base member whereby said spring resists excessiverebound of said frame member; shock-absorbing means disposed betweensaid base member and said frame member to absorb the shock of excessivesudden downward movement of said frame member, said roller meanscomprising a plurality of vertically directed roller cages spaceduniformly around said post; each said cage carrying two verticallyspaced rollers mounted on horizontal axes; said post having verticallydirected, recessed ways provided in the outer surface thereof; a pair ofsaid rollers of a roller cage engaging each of said recessed wayswhereby said post is vertically and nonrotatably mounted with respect tosaid guide means.
 4. In a suspension means as set forth in claim 3: saidguide means including means for adjusting the clearance between saidrollers and said tracks and means for anchoring said roller cage in anyadjusted position of said rollers.
 5. In a suspension means, a basemember mounted upon a surface means; a frame member vertically movablymounted with respect to said base member above said base member; adepending post carried by said frame member; guide means carried by saidbase member and receiving said post for vertical movement thereof withrespect to said base member; said guide means comprising roller meansspaced around said post and contacting the outer surface thereof; meansproviding an airtight chamber around said post and guide means, thechamber including a resilient boot in airtight engagement with said basemember and said frame member and adapted to be inflated to resilientlysupport said frame member; a vertically adjustable member carried bysaid post having spring means depending therefrom below the post, meanscarried at the lower end of said spring and abutting upwardly againstmeans fixed with respect to said base member whereby said spring resistsexcessive rebound of said frame member; shock-absorbing means disposedbetween said base member and said frame member to absorb the shock ofexcessive sudden downward movement of said frame member, said guidemeans comprising a sleeve surrounding and spaced from said post; aplurality of roller cages uniformly spaced around said post and havingopenings therein; bolt means projecting radially outwardly from saidsleeve through said openings and having tightening means at the outerends thereof for adjusting said cages toward said post; each said cagehaving a pair of rollers mounted theRein above and below the bolt meansassociated therewith, said rollers disposed on horizontal axes with theperipheries thereof engaging said post; brace means projecting outwardlyfrom said cages; lug means mounted rigidly with respect to said basemember and disposed adjacent to said brace means; and means for rigidlyconnecting said brace means to said lug means for anchoring said rollercage in any adjusted position of said rollers.
 6. In a suspension meansas set forth in claim 5: said post having vertically directed, recessedways provided in the outer surface thereof; said rollers engaging saidways, edges of said recesses overlapping peripheral edge portions ofsaid rollers and preventing rotation of said post about its own axis. 7.In a suspension means as set forth in claim 1: a vehicle seat framespaced upwardly above said frame member; said seat frame having sidemembers projecting downwardly on either lateral side of said framemember and extending below said frame member; link means connecting saidframe member to said seat frame in a vertical direction, the upper endthereof being pivoted to said frame member and the lower end thereofbeing pivoted to said side members whereby said seat frame has limitedfore-and-aft swinging movement with respect to said frame member tooffset backslap to the driver, said seat frame always tending to assumea nonpivoted, neutral position.
 8. In a suspension means as set forth inclaim 7: said link means comprising pairs of links disposed on eitherside of said frame member adjacent to the front and rear, respectively,of said seat frame.
 9. In a suspension means as set forth in claim 1: avehicle seat frame associated with said frame member; an auxiliary seatframe disposed above said main seat frame and having a seat thereon;said auxiliary seat frame having transverse rods pivotally mountedforwardly and rearwardly of the transverse centerline of said auxiliaryseat frame; said rods having handle means at one end thereof forpivoting said rods; elongated adjustment members secured adjacent to theends of said rods and normally projecting downwardly adjacent to thelateral sides of said vehicle seat frame; each said adjustment memberhaving a plurality of spaced notches opening toward one edge thereof;pin means projecting laterally from the sides of said vehicle seat frameand said adjustment members being pivotable by said rods toward and awayfrom said pins whereby said pins engage selected of said notches toraise and lower the front and rear of said auxiliary seat frame; meansresiliently urging said adjustment members toward said pins whereby saidpins engage selected of said notches; and stabilizing means forpreventing forward and rearward movement while affording verticalmovement of said auxiliary seat frame with respect to said vehicle seatframe whereby to adjust said seat to the desired height and angle. 10.In a suspension means, a base member mounted upon a surface means; aframe member vertically movably mounted with respect to said base memberabove said base member; a depending post carried by said frame member;guide means carried by said base member and receiving said post forvertical movement thereof with respect to said base member; said guidemeans comprising roller means spaced around said post and contacting theouter surface thereof; means providing an airtight chamber around saidpost and guide means, the chamber including a resilient boot in airtightengagement with said base member and said frame member and adapted to beinflated to resiliently support said frame member; a verticallyadjustable member carried by said post having spring means dependingtherefrom below the post, means carried at the lower end of said springand abutting upwardly against means fixed with respect to said basemember whereby said spring resists excessive rebound of said framemember; shock-absorbing means disposed between said base member and saidframe member to absorb the shock of excessive sudden doWnward movementof said frame member; a vehicle seat frame associated with said framemember; an auxiliary seat frame disposed above said vehicle seat frameand having a seat thereon; said auxiliary seat frame having transverserods pivotally mounted forwardly and rearwardly of the transversecenterline of said auxiliary seat frame; said rods having handle meansat one end thereof for pivoting said rods; elongated adjustment memberssecured adjacent to the ends of said rods and normally projectingdownwardly adjacent to the lateral sides of said vehicle seat frame;each said adjustment member having a plurality of spaced notches openingtoward one edge thereof; pin means projecting laterally from the sidesof said vehicle seat frame and said adjustment members being pivotableby said rods toward and away from said pins whereby said pins engageselected of said notches to raise and lower the front and rear of saidauxiliary seat frame; stabilizing means for preventing forward andrearward movement while affording vertical movement of said auxiliaryseat frame with respect to said vehicle seat frame whereby to adjustsaid seat to the desired height and angle; said stabilizing meanscomprising vertically disposed stabilizer bars pivoted at their upperends adjacent to the sides of said auxiliary frame substantially midwaybetween said rods and projecting downwardly alongside the lateral sidesof said vehicle seat frame; and guide means carried by said vehicle seatframe slidably receiving said stabilizer bars for vertical movementonly.
 11. In a suspension means as set forth in claim 10: meansresiliently urging said adjustment members toward said pins whereby saidpins engage selected of said notches.
 12. In a suspension means as setforth in claim 1: said post being hollow; means closing the upper end ofsaid post; said shock-absorbing means comprising upwardly projectingspring means carried by said base member and projecting into said hollowpost, the upper end of said spring means being normally spaced from theupper end of the post and adapted to abut said means closing the upperend of said post upon excessive downward movement of the frame member.13. In a suspension means, a base member mounted upon a surface means; aframe member vertically movably mounted with respect to said base memberabove said base member; a depending post carried by said frame member;guide means carried by said base member and receiving said post forvertical movement thereof with respect to said base member; said guidemeans comprising roller means spaced around said post and contacting theouter surface thereof; means providing an airtight chamber around saidpost and guide means, the chamber including a resilient boot in airtightengagement with said base member and said frame member and adapted to beinflated to resiliently support said frame member; a verticallyadjustable member carried by said post having spring means dependingtherefrom below the post, means carried at the lower end of said springand abutting upwardly against means fixed with respect to said basemember whereby said spring resists excessive rebound of said framemember; shock-absorbing means disposed between said base member and saidframe member to absorb the shock of excessive sudden downward movementof said frame member; said post being hollow; means closing the upperend of said post; said shock-absorbing means comprising upwardlyprojecting spring means carried by said base member and projecting intosaid hollow post, the upper end of said spring means being normallyspaced from the upper end of the post and adapted to abut said meansclosing the upper end of said post upon excessive downward movement ofthe frame member, an axially vertical tube secured at its lower end tosaid base member and projecting upwardly into said post; an insertmember of resilient material disposed within and filling a substantialportion of said tube; said spring means comprising a coil springtelescoped into the uppEr end portion of said tube.
 14. In a suspensionmeans, a base member mounted upon a surface means; a frame membervertically movably mounted with respect to said base member above saidbase member; a depending post carried by said frame member; guide meanscarried by said base member and receiving said post for verticalmovement thereof with respect to said base member; said guide meanscomprising roller means spaced around said post and contacting the outersurface thereof; means providing an airtight chamber around said postand guide means, the chamber including a resilient boot in airtightengagement with said base member and said frame member and adapted to beinflated to resiliently support said frame member; a verticallyadjustable member carried by said post having spring means dependingtherefrom below the post, means carried at the lower end of said springand abutting upwardly against means fixed with respect to said basemember whereby said spring resists excessive rebound of said framemember; shock-absorbing means disposed between said base member and saidframe member to absorb the shock of excessive sudden downward movementof said frame member, said guide means being pivotally mounted upon ahorizontal axis with respect to said base member for restricted tiltingmovement in one horizontal direction; and means resiliently urging saidguide means toward a nontilted, vertical position.
 15. In a suspensionmeans, a base member mounted upon a surface means; a frame membervertically movably mounted with respect to said base member above saidbase member; a depending post carried by said frame member; guide meanscarried by said base member and receiving said post for verticalmovement thereof with respect to said base member; said guide meanscomprising roller means spaced around said post and contacting the outersurface thereof; means providing an airtight chamber around said postand guide means, the chamber including a resilient boot in airtightengagement with said base member and said frame member and adapted to beinflated to resiliently support said frame member; a verticallyadjustable member carried by said post having spring means dependingtherefrom below the post, means carried at the lower end of said springand abutting upwardly against means fixed with respect to said basemember whereby said spring resists excessive rebound of said framemember; shock-absorbing means disposed between said base member and saidframe member to absorb the shock of excessive sudden downward movementof said frame member, a vehicle seat mounted upon said frame member;said guide means being pivotally mounted upon an axis transverse to thefore-and-aft direction of said seat for restricted tilting movement ofthe seat in a fore-and-aft direction; and means resiliently urging saidguide means toward a nontilted, vertical position.
 16. In a suspensionmeans as set forth in claim 15: a sleeve loosely surrounding said post;a plurality of roller cages spaced around said sleeve and mountedthereto; said roller means mounted in said roller cages and engaging theouter surface of said post to guide said post; and means mounting saidsleeve for pivotal movement with respect to said base member about saidtransverse axis.
 17. In a suspension means as set forth in claim 16:said means mounting said sleeve comprising mounting means carried bysaid base having mounting surface portions disposed on either lateralside of said sleeve; means extending laterally from said sleeveincluding laterally projecting trunnions; bearing means carried by saidmounting surface portions and journaling said trunnions; and springmeans interposed between said laterally extending means and saidmounting means forwardly and rearwardly of said transverse axis andresisting tilting movement of said guide means.
 18. In a suspensionmeans, a base member mounted upon a surface means; a frame membervertically movably mounted with respect to said base member above saidbase member; a dependIng post carried by said frame member; guide meanscarried by said base member and receiving said post for verticalmovement thereof with respect to said base member; said guide meanscomprising roller means spaced around said post and contacting the outersurface thereof; means providing an airtight chamber around said postand guide means, the chamber including a resilient boot in airtightengagement with said base member and said frame member and adapted to beinflated to resiliently support said frame member; a verticallyadjustable member carried by said post having spring means dependingtherefrom below the post, means carried at the lower end of said springand abutting upwardly against means fixed with respect to said basemember whereby said spring resists excessive rebound of said framemember; shock-absorbing means disposed between said base member and saidframe member to absorb the shock of excessive sudden downward movementof said frame member, said base member having forwardly and rearwardlydirected edge portions; one of said edge portions being hinged withrespect to said surface means; the other of said edge portions beinginterposed between oppositely vertically acting resilient meansresisting and limiting pivotal movement of said base member about saidhinge.
 19. In a suspension means, a base member mounted upon a surfacemeans; a frame member vertically movably mounted with respect to saidbase member above said base member; a depending post carried by saidframe member; guide means carried by said base member and receiving saidpost for vertical movement thereof with respect to said base member;said guide means comprising roller means spaced around said post andcontacting the outer surface thereof; means providing an airtightchamber around said post and guide means, the chamber including aresilient boot in airtight engagement with said base member and saidframe member and adapted to be inflated to resiliently support saidframe member; a vertically adjustable member carried by said post havingspring means depending therefrom below the post, means carried at thelower end of said spring and abutting upwardly against means fixed withrespect to said base member whereby said spring resists excessiverebound of said frame member; shock-absorbing means disposed betweensaid base member and said frame member to absorb the shock of excessivesudden downward movement of said frame member, a vehicle seat mountedupon said frame member; said base member having forwardly and rearwardlydirected edge portions corresponding to the fore-and-aft directions,respectively, of said seat; one of said edge portions being hinged withrespect to said surface means; the other of said edge portions beinginterposed between oppositely vertically acting resilient meansresisting and limiting pivotal movement of said base member about saidhinge to control backslap of said seat.
 20. In a suspension means as setforth in claim 19: said base member being hinged at the rearwardlydirected edge portion of said base member; spring means interposedbetween said forward edge portion and said surface means; bolt meansvertically anchored with respect to said surface means and projectingupwardly through said forward edge portion; an adjustment wheel threadfitted to the upper end of said bolt means; and spring means interposedbetween said adjustment wheel and said forward edge portion whereby uponrotation of said adjustment wheel, downward resilient pressure againstsaid forward edge portion is varied.
 21. In a suspension means as setforth in claim 1: said frame member being a vehicle seat frame having ahorizontal portion supporting a seat and vertical portion carrying abackrest; said vertical portion including a transverse, fixed rod;bracket means disposed at the back of said backrest; said bracket meanshaving slot means disposed substantially parallel with said backrest andhaving said transverse rod projecting therethrough; plurality offorwardly and upwardly angled nOtches intersecting said slot meanswhereby said backrest can be raised and lowered by disposing said rod inselected of said notches; and adjustment means adjacent to the lower endof said backrest for tilting said backrest forwardly and rearwardly atits lower edge.
 22. In a suspension means, a base member mounted upon asurface means; a frame member vertically movably mounted with respect tosaid base member above said base member; a depending post carried bysaid frame member; guide means carried by said base member and receivingsaid post for vertical movement thereof with respect to said basemember; said guide means comprising roller means spaced around said postand contacting the outer surface thereof; means providing an airtightchamber around said post and guide means, the chamber including aresilient boot in airtight engagement with said base member and saidframe member and adapted to be inflated to resiliently support saidframe member; a vertically adjustable member carried by said post havingspring means depending therefrom below the post, means carried at thelower end of said spring and abutting upwardly against means fixed withrespect to said base member whereby said spring resists excessiverebound of said frame member; shock-absorbing means disposed betweensaid base member and said frame member to absorb the shock of excessivesudden downward movement of said frame member; said frame member being avehicle seat frame having a horizontal portion supporting a seat andvertical portion carrying a backrest; said vertical portion including atransverse, fixed rod; bracket means disposed at the back of saidbackrest; said bracket means having slot means disposed substantiallyparallel with said backrest and having said transverse rod projectingtherethrough; a plurality of forwardly and upwardly angled notchesintersecting said slot means whereby said backrest can be raised andlowered by disposing said rod in selected of said notches; adjustmentmeans adjacent to the lower end of said backrest for tilting saidbackrest forwardly and rearwardly at its lower edge; said adjustmentmeans comprising means providing horizontal slot means associated withsaid vertical portion of the seat frame below said fixed rod; meansproviding a plurality of notches in one horizontal edge of said slotmeans; said bracket means having a second slot means disposedsubstantially parallel with said backrest below the level of saidfirst-mentioned slot means; a second transverse rod disposed throughsaid horizontal slot means and said second slot means; and meansresiliently urging said second rod toward said notches whereby to holdsaid rod in a selected one of said notches and whereby said rod can bepushed out of one notch and along said horizontal slot into another ofsaid notches.
 23. In a vehicle seat suspension means having a basemember, a seat frame spaced above said base member, and shock-absorbingmeans disposed between said base member and seat frame to cushion theseat frame against road shocks, a post projecting downwardly from saidseat frame; support means carried by said base member and surroundingsaid post; a plurality of carrier members mounted on said support meansand spaced around said post; each carrier member having roller meansengaging said post for relative rolling movement parallel with the axisof said post; and said post having a plurality of vertically directed,recessed ways in its outer surface in which said roller means travel,edges of said recessed ways overlapping portions of said roller meansand preventing rotation of said post about its own axis.
 24. In avehicle seat suspension means having a base member, a seat frame spacedabove said base member, and shock-absorbing means disposed between saidbase member and seat frame to cushion the seat frame against roadshocks, a post projecting downwardly from said seat frame; support meanscarried by said base member and surrounding said post; a plurality ofcarrier members mounted on saId support means and spaced around saidpost; each carrier member having roller means engaging said port forrelative rolling movement parallel with the axis of said post; said posthaving a plurality of vertically directed, recessed ways in its outersurface in which said roller means travel; means for adjusting each saidcarrier member toward and away from said post; and means for anchoringsaid carrier member in its adjusted position.
 25. In a vehicle seatsuspension means as set forth in claim 24: said roller means comprisingat least two rollers mounted on horizontal axes in vertically spacedrelation in each said carrier.
 26. In a vehicle seat suspension meanshaving base means, a subframe spaced above said base means, andshock-absorbing means disposed between said base means and subframe tocushion the vehicle seat against road shocks, a main seat frame disposedand spaced above said subframe; said seat frame having side membersprojecting downwardly on either lateral side of said subframe andextending below said subframe; link means connecting said subframe tosaid seat frame in a vertical direction, the upper end thereof beingpivoted to said subframe and the lower end thereof being pivoted to saidside members whereby said seat frame has limited fore-and-aft swingingmovement with respect to said subframe to offset backslap to the driver.27. In a vehicle seat suspension means as set forth in claim 26: saidlink means comprising pairs of links disposed on either side of saidsubframe adjacent to the front and rear, respectively, of said seatframe.
 28. In a vehicle seat suspension means having base means, a mainseat frame spaced above said base means, and shock-absorbing meansdisposed between said base means and said main seat frame to cushion thevehicle seat against road shocks, an auxiliary seat frame disposed abovesaid main seat frame and having a seat thereon; said auxiliary seatframe having transverse rods pivotally mounted thereto forwardly andrearwardly of the transverse centerline of said auxiliary seat frame;said rods having handle means at one end thereof for pivoting said rods;elongated adjustment members secured adjacent to the ends of said rodsand normally projecting downwardly adjacent to the lateral sides of saidmain seat frame; each adjustment member having a plurality of spacednotches opening toward one edge thereof; pin means projecting laterallyfrom the sides of said main seat frame and said adjustment members beingpivotable by said rods toward and away from said pins whereby said pinsengage selected of said notches to raise and lower the front and rear ofsaid auxiliary seat frame; means resiliently urging said adjustmentmembers toward said pins whereby said pins engage selected of saidnotches; and stabilizing means for preventing forward and rearwardmovement while affording vertical movement of said auxiliary seat framewith respect to said main seat frame whereby to adjust said seat to thedesired height and angle.
 29. In a vehicle seat suspension means as setforth in claim 28: said stabilizing means comprising vertically disposedstabilizer bars pivoted at their upper ends adjacent to the sides ofsaid auxiliary seat frame substantially midway between said rods andprojecting downwardly alongside the lateral sides of said main seatframe; and guide means carried by said main seat frame slidablyreceiving said stabilizer bars for vertical movement only.
 30. In avehicle seat suspension means as set forth in claim 29: said main seatframe having a vertical portion carrying a backrest; said verticalportion including a transverse, fixed rod; bracket means disposed at theback of said backrest; said bracket means having slot means disposedsubstantially parallel with said backrest and having said transverse rodprojecting therethrough; a plurality of forwardly and upwardly anglednotches intersecting said slot means whereby said backrest can be raisedand lowered by disposing said rod in selected of said notcHes; andadjustment means adjacent to the lower end of said backrest for tiltingsaid backrest forwardly and rearwardly at it lower edge.
 31. In avehicle seat suspension means as set forth in claim 30: said adjustmentmeans comprising means providing horizontal slot means associated withsaid vertical portion of the seat frame below said fixed rod; meansproviding a plurality of notches in one horizontal edge of said slotmeans; said bracket means having a second slot means disposedsubstantially parallel with said backrest below the level of saidfirst-mentioned slot means; a second transverse rod disposed throughsaid horizontal slot means and said second slot means; and meansresiliently urging said second rod toward said notches whereby to holdsaid rod in a selected one of said notches and whereby said rod can bepushed out of one notch and along said horizontal slot into another ofsaid notches.
 32. In a vehicle seat suspension means having a basemember, a seat frame spaced above said base member, and shock-absorbingmeans disposed between said base member and seat frame to cushion theseat frame against road shocks, a post projecting downwardly from saidseat frame; support means carried by said base member and surroundingsaid post; a plurality of carrier members mounted on said support meansand spaced around said post; each carrier member having roller meansengaging said post for relative rolling movement parallel with the axisof said post; each said roller means comprising pairs of rollers mountedon horizontal axes and spaced vertically from each other; said posthaving vertically directed, recessed ways provided in the outer surfacethereof; a pair of rollers engaging each said way for rolling engagementtherewith, edges of said recesses overlapping peripheral edge portionsof said rollers and preventing rotation of said post about its own axis.33. In a vehicle seat suspension means adapted to be mounted uponsurface means fixed with respect to the vehicle, a base member; a seatframe carried by said base member; said base member having forwardly andrearwardly directed edge portions corresponding to the fore-and-aftdirections, respectively, of said seat; one of said edge portions beinghinged with respect to said surface means; the other of said edgeportions being interposed between oppositely vertically acting resilientmeans resisting and limiting pivotal movement of said base member aboutsaid hinge to control backslap of said seat.